Telephone-exchange system.



F. A. LUNDQUIST. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM. APPuqAfloN FILED FEB. 19.1913.

Patented July 20, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SklEEI 2.

- mm. L uhdqu/st 7 STATES PATENT oEEIcE.

FRANK A. L NnoUIs'r, oE INGLESIDE, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR TO WESTERNELEc'rEIc COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SYSTEM.

Patented July 20, 1915.

Application filed February 19, 1913. Serial No. 749,378.

To all whom it may-concern Be it known that I, FRANK A. LU D UIsT,

a citizen of the United States, residing at and flexible connections orcords necessarily bodiment are illustrated as line switches,-

. trunks. The contact actuating members of associated therewith aredispensed with. These selectors, which, in the present emmay be arrangedin groups associated with all the switches of a group always stand inthe same position adjacent to or directly Z over the multipled terminalsof an idle trunk. When a subscriber lifts his receiver from the hook,his line, which is connected to one of these switches, immediatelybecomes connected to an idle trunk. .Then this switch together with allother switches of the group advances to the next idle trunk.

In the same way when a second calling subscriber lifts his receiver, hisline is immediately connected to the next idle trunk by his switch, andall the switches again advance to the idle trunk next in the series. Inthis process the switch of the calling subscriber does not stop in afixed position during talking, but merely connects the calling line toan idle trunk and passes. on. In this passing from trunk to trunk, thecontact actuating parts of the switches do not wipe over contacts butpass adjacent to contact springs which are moved into and locked inengagemerit by theoperation of the switches. This locked position isreleased by hanging up the receiver without respect to what position theswitch. may be in.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of an improvedswitch of this type having no brushes or Wipers.

Another object is the provision of a looking device independent of thecontact actuating means whereby the contacts may be retained in theiractuated position.

A further object is the provision of a switch of simple structure havingfew movable parts.

Other objects and advantages will appear.

'by the spacing blocks'3.

as the description of the invention progresses'.

The apparatus herein disclosed comprises essentially a circular orcylindrical bank of contact springs comprising multipled termirials ofthe line to which the switch is individual, and trunk line terminalsadapted to cooperate therewith. Mounted axially of which the shaftpasses. This collar is pro-.

vided with a. plurality of radially arranged projections, one for eachset of springs. After the springs of the set, are forced intointer-engagement, this collar is rotated to po sition one of theseprojections or fingers over the uppermost spring of said set, wherebysaid springs are held in their engaging relation while the shaft isautomatically rotated to position the contact operating finger thereofin operative relation to the next set of springs in which are terminalsof an idle. trunk.

Referring now to the drawings for a more complete disclosure of thedevice,Figui-c l is a perspective view, partly in section, of thereof;Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4-. is adiagrammatic view of the device and a circuit arrangement the switchingdevice; Fig. 2 is a plan view with which it is adapted to be used.

Referring now to the drawings in which the same reference characters areapplied to the same parts in the several figures, 1 and 2 are circularplates rigidly secured together .Tii'ounted upon the plate 2 andconcentrically therewith is a cir cular terminal bank 4 consisting often sets of stationary terminals, each set of which comprises a pair ofsprings 5 and 6 which represent the terminals of a subscribers line.These line terminals are all multiply connected by being formed asinwardly extending fingers on the circular plates 7. Associated witheach pair of line springs and located therebetween is a'pa-ir ofcoiiperating springs 8 and 9 which represent the terminals of atrunkline or connecting circuit as T, or T? towhich thejcal ling line isadapted to be connected. Extending axially through the stationaryterminal bank is a rotatable and longitudinally movable shaft 10 mountedin bearings 11 and 12, one'of which (11) is formed in a'bracket member13 secured to the circular disk 1, the other of which (12) is carried bya forwardly projecting bracket, 14 integral with the upright 15 rigidlysecured at one side of the plate 2. Rotatably mounted in theplate 2 is asleeve or collar 16 through which the shaft loosely passes. This sleeveis provided at one end thereof with an outwardly projecting arm 17 whichforms the armature of theelectromagnet C mounted on the plate 1. Thisarmaturecarries an outwardly extending pin- 18 for a purpose to behereinafter de-.

scribed. Extending outwardly from the sleeve 16 at .right angles to thearmature member 17 is an arm 19 earrylng a downwardly projectinginsulating lug 20 adapted,

when the armature 17 is fully attracted, to

- cause separation-of the normal-1y closed conterminals, and they are sopositioned that in the normal position of the sleeve 16 these fingersWill occupy positions intermediate the terminal sets, respectively, asshown in Fig. 2.

Fixed to the shaft 10 above the sleeve 16- is a collar 25 provided Withan outwardly extending arm 26 to the outer end of which is secured aknob of insulating material 27. This contact operating arm is sopositioned upon the shaft that in the normal position of the device itwill occupy a plane slightly above the uppermost line spring 5. Mountedon thebracket member 14 is an electromagnet 13 having an armature 28which, upon attraction thereof, is arranged to longitudinally displacethe shaft 10 against the resiliency of the supporting spring 29. As theinsulating knob 27 overlies the spring 5 of one of the sets ofstationary contacts or springs, this spring 5 will be depressed intoengagement with the spring 8 and spring 9 Will be forced into contactwith the spring 6, through the medium of the insulating spacing member'30. The electromagnet C will then beenergized to. rotate the star wheel.23 andinso doingwill-position one of the fingers 24' over the spring 5of the actuated set of springs. As the other sets of springs are at thistime in their normal position the other fingers .24 will pass underneaththeir respective springs 5 and consequently will have no efiect thereon.It maybe noted that only long enough tooverlie the ends of the ingmember 18 of the armature 17 to retain the same in its forward positionuntil the electromagnet A is deiinergized. The attraction of thearmature 33 by electromagnet a A is arranged to close a pair of contactsprings 36 and 37. Extending adjacent to the shaft 10 of all the lineswitches of a group is a common drive shaft 38. This shaft is providedwith a plurality of worms 39, one for each shaft 10. Rigidly fixed to'the shaft 10 and in operative engagement with its respective worm 39 isa worm wheel 40 through the medium of which the shaft is adapted to berotated. Arranged on the terminal bank above each set of connectionsprings is a pair of multiply connected springs 41 and 42'adapted toclose the circuit for an electromagnet G1 which controls the movement ofthe power shaft. These' springs are formed as inwardly projecting partsof the circular members 43 and 44. Fixed to each spring 5 is an upwardlypro ect1ng spacing member 45 having a lug 46 projecting through a spring42 and into engagement with a'spi'ing 41. This member, whenthe spring 5is in its normal position, holds the springs 41 and 42 elevated so thatthey will not be engaged by the insulating knob 27 on the arm 26 whenthe shaft is rotated. \Vhen,

however, a set of springs is held depressed or in its actuated position,the member is removed from engagement with the springs 41 and 42 and, ifat this time the knob 27 is positioned under these springs and the shaftis inits elevated or normal position, these springs will be forced intoengagement to complete a circuit for the clutch controlling magnetthrough the medium of which the power shaft 38 is controlled.

-Reference is now made to Fig. 4 for adescription of the operation ofthe device and the circuits therefor. Upon the subscriber taking downthe receiver a circuit will be completed for the electromagnet A frombattery 47, through the battery lead-48. wire 49, coil of electromagnetA, wire 50, side L of the line, the receiver hook and telephone set atthe calling station, side L of the line, the resistance 51, wire 52,battery lead-53 and back to battery. Armature 33 is-thereupon attractedto place the spring catch 34 carried thereby in a position to engage thepin 18 carried by the armature 17 and hold it in its operated positionuntil the deenergization-of'elec'tromagnet A. The encrgizafor theelectromagnet B from battery 47 lead 48, wires 49, 54, normally closedcontacts 22, 21, wire 55, coils of B, wires 57, 58, contacts 37 36, wire52, lead 53 and back to battery. Upon the attraction of the armature 28of the eleotromagnet B, the shaft 10 is depressed against the resistanceof the spring 29 and the insulating knob 27 carried thereby engages thespring 5 of the set of brushes over which this contact operatving-memberis now positioned, causing engagement of the spring 5 with the trunkterminal 8 and the spring 6 with the trunk terminal 9. This connects thecalling line with a connecting circuit leading to a selector or a finalconnector, as theicase may be, and as will hereinafter appear thiscircuit to whichthe line is connected is always an idle one. Thearmature 28 in pulling up causes engagement of the contact springs 31and 32, thus closing. circuit for the electro magnet C from battery 47,battery lead 48, wires 49, 54, springs 22, 21, wire'55, springs 31, 32,wire 56, winding of electromagnet 0,

wires 57 58, springs 37 36, wire 52, battery lead 53 and back tobattery. C thereupon attracts its armature 17 rotating the sleeve 16 toposition one of the radial extending fingers 24 over the spring 5 ofactuated set, thus holding spring 5 in its lowermost position andholding the spring 5 in engagement with the spring 8 and the contact 6in engagement with contact 9.

When the armature 17 was attracted the pin 18 carried thereby wasengaged by the shoulder 35 of the catch spring 34 to retain it in itsattracted or forward position, thus assuring that the actuated set ofspringswill remain in engagement untilthe circuit for the electromagnetA is interrupted at the switch hook by the calling subscriber hanging uphis receiver. The rotation of the. sleeve 1.6 caused the projecting lug20 carried by the arm 19 to engage the lateral proection 59 on the sprmg22 and as the armature reaches the limit ofits travel, this lug passesfrom engagement with the spring 22,

and into engagement with a projecting lug 60 carried by the spring 21 insuch a manner as to cause disengagement of the con tacts 21 and 22. Thisinterrupts the circuits of the electromagnets B and C. Upon thedeiinergization of the electromagnet ll, the shaft is elevated. to itsnormal position by the spring 29, thus causing the knob 27 to I engagethe spring 42, and force it into engagement with the spring 43. Thiscloses the circuit for the clutch magnet 61 of the drive shaft 38 frombattery 47,1ead 48, wire 80, plate 44, contacts 42, 41, plate 43, wire81, wire. 82, coils of electromagnet 61 and back to battery. Magnet 61upon attracting its armature 62 releases the dog 63, the pivot 64 ofwhich is mounted in the annular flange 65 at the endv of the, shaft 33.This flange is provided at the inner surface thereof with a' circularnotch 66 which is slightly greater than a semi-circle. This forms thebearing for the pivot pin 64: l" acat'd within the re cess 67 is aflange '63 11 fl end of a constantly rotating power member (59. Thepivot pin 64 is provided with a notch'or cut away portion 70 withinwhich the flange (38 freely rotates when the dog 63 is in its re tractedposition. When, however, the dog 63 is released by the attraction of thearm'a ture 62, the pivot pin (34 is rotated by the spring 71 to positiona portion of the pin (34 go in one of the notches 72 in the flange (38,thus locking the shaft 38 to the constantly rotating power shaft (59. Asthe energizing circuit of 'electromagnet 61 will be interrupted as soonas the knob 27 passes from 35 engagement with the particular spring ,42

which it has now actuated, the armature 62 will be retracted by thespring 71, and when the shaft 38 has made one complete revolution, thedog (33 will be caught by the catch member 73 at the end of the armature(32, thus rotating the pivot pin 64 and releasing the shaft 38 from theconsta-itly rotating member 69. As the wormwheel 40 is pro vided withten teeth, it will be; seen that the revolution of the worm 39 has,advanced the contact operating member 27one-tenth of i one revolution,thus placing it in operativerelation-to the next set of contact springs.If the trunk associated with this set is busy at some other switch, thespacing member 45 thereat will be removed from engagement with thesprings 41,42 and the member 27 of'said switch will thus causeengagement of said springs to effect another revolution of the shaft 38,and so on until the contact operating member 27 has reached a positionin operative relation to a set of springs associated with an idle trunkso as to be in a position to immediately connect the next calling linethereto.

When the calling subscribed hangs up his receiver the circuit throughthe relay A will be interrupted, whereby its armature 33 will beretracted. The armature 17 of relay C will now be released from thecatch,35 and the collar 16 willbe rotated to release the actuated set ofcontact springs. When the armature 17 returns to normal the insulatingpin 20 carried at the end of the arm 19 1 0 will pass under or back ofthe projecting port-ion 59 on the spring 22 and when the armaturereaches its fully retracted position the springs 21 and 22 will againcome together. The apparatus has now been fully 25 returned to itsnormal position and is ready for another call. It will now be seen thatthe apparatus when at rest always stands in operative relation to acontact set in which 'an idle trunk lineterminates, thus being in aposition-t0 immediatel connect a calling line toan idle connectingcircuit.

said line at said switch, other terminals'for engagement with said lineterminals, a shaft capable of movement 1n. two. directions whereby saidline terminals may be engaged with said other terminals, and independentmeans for retalnlng said terminals 1n ven-.

gagement.

2. In combination a telephone line, a switch associated therewith,pairsof multiply connected terminals of said line at said switch, trunkterminals arranged for engagement with said line terminals respectively,a contact actuating member, means for moving said member in onedirection to select a set of contacts, means for moving it in anotherdirection to cause interengagement of the contacts of said set, and alocking device acting independently of said contact actuating member forretaining said "set of contacts in" their actuated pos1tion. i

V dependent of saidcontact operating means 3. In'combinationa telephoneline, an automatic switch associated therewith, pairs of multiplyconnected contact terminals of said line at said switch, trunkterminalsar ranged for engagement with said line terminals respectively, contactoperating means for causing engagement of said line terminals with saidtrunk terminals, means infor retaining said terminals in their operatedposition, and means whereby said oper ating means after actuationwill-be immediatclv associated with a terminal set wherein are contactsof an idle trunk,

L In combination, a subscribers line, a switch associated therewith,sets ,of sta tionary contact springs arranged for interengagement atsaid switch, certain springs of each set representing multipledterminals of said line, other springs of each set i being trunk lineterminals, a contact operating device for causing engagement of lineterminals with the terminals of an idle trrnk upon the initiation ofacall, means independent of said contact operating device for retainingsaid terminals in engagement,

and means wherebysaid operating meanswillbe immediately associated withthe next terminal set wherein-are the contacts of an idle trunk.

5. In combination, a telephone line, an automatic switch associatedtherew1th,-;sets

of-contact springs arranged for inter-engagement at said switch, springsof each set representing multipled terminals of said line, other springsof each set representing trunk terminals,a rotatable and longitudinallymovable shaft, and means whereby, upon the initiation of a call, saidshaft will be actuated to operatively connect said line to an idletrunk, and means independent of said'shaft for retaining contacts of theactuated set in engagement.-

G.'In combination, a telephone line, a

switclfiassociated therewith, a circular bank of contacts at saidswitch, said bank comywherein are terminals of an idle trunk, uponprising contact sets in each of which are represented terminals of saidline and of a trunk line, means whereby, upon the initiation of a call,'one of said setsof contacts Will be actuated to connect the callingline to anidle trunk, andmechanism independent of said contact actuatingmeans for retaining the contacts of said set in. engage ment.

7.'In combination, a telephone line, an'

automatic switch associated therewith, multipled contact terminalsofsaid line at said switch, trunk 11116 terminals arranged forengagement with said line terminals respectively, contact operatingmeans forcausing engagement of said line terminals with said trunkterminals, independently operable locking means for retaining saidterminals in engagement, and means whereby said contact operating means1s moved to operative relation to a contact set, wherein are terminalsof an idle trunk line, upon the actuation of said locking means. 7

8. In combination, a telephone line, switch associated therewith, acircular bank of sets of stationary contact springs ara nged forinter-engagement at said switch,

contacts of each set comprising multipled terminals of said lineandterminals of a trunk line,

her on said shaft, a locking member having a shaft extending axiallythrough sa d bank, a cont'act'act-uating 1nem a plurality offingers,said fingers being a normally located intermediate said sets of" Hsprings, respectively, means for moving said shaft longitudinally toactuate one vof said" sets-of-springs, means for rotating said lockingmember to operatively engage one of said fingerswith'a spring of theactuated set whereby said. springs are held in engagement, and means forrotating said shaft whereby-said contact actuating member is moved tooperative relation to a contact set,

the actuation-of said locking means.

. 9.. In an exchange, telephone'lines termie nating thereat, a- ,groupof switches -associ-' ated with said lines,-respectively,' sets ofcontacts at each of saidsWitcheseach-set" comprising multiplet'erminals'of a line and trunk line terminals, a contact actuatingmember at each switch, and means for movmg the contact actuating membersof a group of sw1tches 1n unison whereby said actuating members'when'atrest are alwayslines at said switches respectively, terminals of trunklines at each of said switches, actuating members, one at each switchfor cans ingi engagement of said line terminals with said trunkterminals, and means effective when one of said actuatin members is0perated for moving all 0 members into association with the terminals ofan idle trunk.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th day ofFebruary A. 1).,

FRANK A. LUNDQUIST. witnesses:

GEORGE E. FOLK, MCCLELLAN YOUNG.

said actuating 5

